Belle-Noir.com (BN):Thank you so much for agreeing to the interview. I have learned a lot about you through your show, Sarcasm with No Chaser, but for those who are not familiar with you, who is Renee Jennings?
Renee Jennings (RJ):You’re quite welcome. I am honored that Belle-Noir wanted to feature me as an independent woman. Independence is a one of the many words that can be used to define what I represent. Now you asked, “Who is Renee Jennings?” Well let’s see; I am a radio host by the name of Soooo Brooklyn Renee Jennings and Da 1980 Original, writer, amateur model, cook, soon to be wife, music critic when I feel like being critical, motivational speaker for some, friend to many, daughter, big sister, niece, granddaughter, and a child of God who is a sinner every day of the week. Whew, I am tired!! (Laughing) However on a serious note, that is a question I am still trying to answer. I am human, full of error, but most importantly a learner of this journey, we call life. My radio show is a reflection of the journey. It is memoirs of a forthright soul; meaning the content is blunt, often painful, sometimes comical but 100% soulful and eclectic.
I began freelance writing in high school; interviewing such celebrities as Busta Rhymes, and Queen Latifah, for a local newspaper. Once the alphabets and I decided to correlate in kindergarten, writing was the end result. However, it wasn’t just writing for general homework purposes. It became apart of my ritual. So at seven years old, I was winning school essay contests and keeping a journal. The creative ideas that would formulate in my mind would spill out into school assignments. Ultimately, I wrote all through school and even met, and had lunch with First Lady/Senator, Hillary Clinton, and then Secretary of State, Madeleine Albright, for essay contests I won in high school. Teachers would often tell me I had a vivid imagination and this is still true today. I wanted to be in the entertainment industry since I was old enough to see Michael Jackson moonwalk. Listening to music with my grandmother and my deceased aunt Shirley, made me see that music spoke the same way I felt at times. I wanted to be apart of that freedom.
I left Washington, DC at nineteen years old and came to New York City on my own with only one goal in my head; to tap into entertainment. Again, here is an example of my independence. Not too many people, especially females, would just get up and leave their hometown to go to a big city like New York, with no family living there, no real sense of direction or where they would live. Yet, not too many people are Renee Jennings, ya dig? (Laughs)
BN: What made you decide to start an internet radio show, and why did you decide to call it Sarcasm with No Chaser?
RJ: The show was named after my personality; sarcastic and to the point. Along with that came various nick names for me such as, Da 1980 Original, a name I came up with one day on my Myspace page. Also you may hear me say Soooo Brooklyn Renee Jennings, a name given to me by my homie, T from Brooklyn way before the radio show and hype. Sarcasm with No Chaser, was supposed to happen a year ago. I toyed with the idea of having my own show for a very long time. However, I am a Pisces and we “daydream” longer than a Lupe Fiasco video, so the idea sat on a shelf in my head. Eventually, other events took place in my life that pushed more clutter on top my idea and so it sat there, collected dust, and wasn’t nurtured. 2007 has been a better year for me. In cleaning out my mental closet I decided that folks out here have just as many, if not more, issues than me. Why not talk about it on a radio show? Initially the show was going to be all about hip-hop but far from mainstream radio where you hear the same song five thousand times. Therefore I incorporated community issues into the shows format. Eventually the entire format became centered on addressing issues such as Jena Six, police brutality, domestic violence, racism, and the stereotypes that plague full figured woman. One of my friends from MySpace, Big Tash, was a regular caller who weighed in on the subject matters each week with interesting points of view, so I made her my co-host. The response has been amazing and now that the euphoria has died down, we are ready to take on every issue that is swept under the rug in our communities.
BN: One topic that you have focused on a lot as of late is the Jena Six case. You had a show recently that was truly electric in where you spoke about your past and why the Jena Six case held such an important place in your heart. What did you think of the media reaction to the Jean Six case? What do you think of the hip hop community’s reaction?
RJ: When I heard about the Jena Six case I was saddened and outraged for both parties. People tend to be surprised that I have compassion for Justin Barker’s family considering what is happening to the Jena 6. Yet, I try to think outside the box. I can understand Justin Barker’s parent’s position because their child was beat up for alleged racial slurs. As a parent, no one wants their child coming home beaten and bruised no matter the situation. Though he told his parents he doesn’t know why he was beaten up, I don’t believe that. What I do believe is that he participated in the racial name calling that stemmed from a year of tension that continued to build and then shit hit the fan.
The Jena 6 on the other hand has and is being treated unfairly. Suggesting sentencing anyone to over twenty years in prison for a school yard fight is more than a bit extreme. However, this situation is far greater than a fight. If the school administrators would have nipped this situation in the bud when a black student came to their office asking if he could sit under a “white only” tree, maybe we wouldn’t be discussing this today. There are many to fault in this case; the school administrations, the parents who have kids going to school participating in racial name calling whether black or white; the black folks who have dealt with racial tensions in Jena far beyond this situation but never spoke out or took a stand; the prosecution; and even you and me.
This is a prime example that race does matter in America and will continue to matter until we learn to acknowledge there is a problem. People think race issues died with Martin Luther King and Malcolm X so they walk around blind to what is happening. The writing is on the wall. There are nooses being hung all over the United States since the Jena Six case gained national attention. Yet, there were nooses hung all over the United States before this case materialized and no one said a thing. When you are sitting at your corporate America desk and hear your co-worker make an inappropriate comment jokingly, do you giggle along or say that you are offended? People have gotten comfortable in saying offensive out of line stuff subliminally. Are you guilty of racial stereotyping if you see someone of another cultural background? We all do it. Look at September 11 th, everyone with a turban on their head was suspect in our eyes when the real culprit lies in the White House. My suggestion is that we need to start better educating ourselves and our children about race relations and how to handle disrespect if it is incurred. One injustice is an in justice everywhere.
I never heard anything about the Jena Six case when it first happened. Like most injustices in the black community, news media conveniently sweeps it under the rug until it draws national attention from big name celebrities. Their lack of coverage on the case in the beginning was not shocking to me. What was shocking is the turn out from our hip-hop community at the march on Jena, and then seeing two of the Jena Six, Carwin Jones and Bryant Purvis, at the BET Awards. More than half the folks who attended the BET Awards didn’t even attend the march on Jena alongside, Bun B, Lyfe Jennings, and Mos Def. So for the life of me I can not understand why they chose to go to the BET Awards and even present an award!!!! That pissed me off!!!!!!!! This is supposed to be a “black” television station, but did they come to your aid or Mychal Bell’s rescue when it was needed the most? NOPE! BET didn’t even cover the Jena Six as much as they should. Additionally, what messages are we sending? Is it okay to beat up someone and then go to the BET Awards? Yes, a standing ovation was received but was the message saying, we support your unfair court rulings, or the fact that you beat up another student? If someone calls you a racial slur and you almost kill them, is it justifiable? Seems to me that everyone can get suited up and iced out for the damn BET Awards, but not show the same support for protest and injustices. It’s disgusting! We don’t even care about us so why should we expect others to give a damn?
BN: You also recently did a show about the life of being a Big Girl. If there is one thing that you could tell all of the plus size women of the world, what would it be?
RJ: Don’t let anyone make you feel like your nothing or less than because of your size. Don’t fall for the bullshit in your marriages or relationships, when your mate says harsh things to you in an attempt to break your confidence to build himself up. No one wakes up drop dead gorgeous everyday like television. Most of the celebrities you see or aspire to be like are airbrushed and have personal trainers around the clock that help them to maintain their weight.
If your weight is affecting your health then by all means, lose the weight. In the meantime, loving yourself means, you accept the big beautiful you for now but know you have to make some changes to live a longer life. It’s not saying, “Let me lose weight or my man will dump me!” He is not worth it!! Why would you want to lose weight for a man who couldn’t accept you as a plus size woman but will accept you once you are smaller? What happens when you have a baby or gravity sets in during old age?
Realize that you are sexy and show that in your style of dress and confidence levels. I did a survey recently that shows more men prefer a woman with meat on her bones!! So it is not hopeless and don’t let anyone make you feel inadequate, even your family and friends. Sometimes people like to jump on your weight because they are jealous of other qualities you possess that they do not. So be aware!! Additionally, many plus size women believe they have to wear almost no clothes to get attention. Number one, often times, it is not attractive and just because it is made in our size doesn’t mean it is for us. Secondly, you are going to attract the wrong kind of attention and finally, your self esteem level will decrease even more once you go through one night stands with these men who care nothing about you. Set your standards higher because you are more and you deserve more!
BN: What are the plans for Da 1980 Original? Where would you like to see the radio show go in the future and what other projects are you working on right now?
RJ: Sky is not the limit for me because even pass that is Heaven. (Laughs) I just want to continue to be the mouth piece for the people who aren’t heard. One day my little sister will be able to look back when I am dead, and really admire me for being more than just her sister but someone with positive influence who helped people by sharing her own experiences. I’m an open book. I look at it like rather than have everything that happened in my life, good and bad, exposed once I am in the limelight, allow me to bring it to you first hand. I am not ashamed of who I have become.
As far as the radio show, I am trying to break into satellite radio because my mouth may be too much for mainstream. (Laughs) I accept that and I know this means I will have to work extra hard to create my own playing field but I am built for that!
My other ventures include participating in the 2008 Spring/Summer mature photo shoot for Blur Dezign. I was selected as a Blur model for this 2008 Spring/Summer line and though I have never modeled professionally, who knows what doors this may open. I was in awe by their design concepts and use of colors; especially for full figured women. Their website is www.blurdezign.com and I encourage everyone to check them out; as there is something for women and men of all sizes; including customizing options.
BN: And finally, what is one quote or saying that inspires you?
RJ: “You must be the change you want to see in the world.”- Mahatma Gandhi
